Normally belongs to "chit-chat" forum, I know, but this one is really good =>

Bertrand Des Pallieres, founder of the SPQR Capital LLP hedge fund, said he was so focused on the swings in financial markets that he didn't notice his 80,000- pound ($160,000) sports car had been impounded by London authorities.

The 39-year-old, who quit Deutsche Bank AG in April to set up the fund, said in a telephone interview he amassed ``thousands of pounds'' in fines from unpaid congestion-charge fees and taxes. Authorities seized the blue Maserati Cambiocorsa in late May. Des Pallieres didn't realize it had been taken until this month. ``I was distracted by the market turmoil,'' said Des Pallieres, who doesn't use the car during the week because he can walk to his office in the St. James's district of London in 15 minutes. ``My assistant at Deutsche Bank used to take care of the road tax.''

Typically, owners have up to two weeks to claim their car after it has been towed, said Cowen. Unclaimed cars are scrapped or sold at auction. Because this car was so valuable, the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency had trouble finding dealers who could handle the sale, Cowen said.